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Mark 8

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.

And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.

And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

What does Mark 8:13 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 8:13 says, "And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side." This verse marks a transition in the narrative of the Gospel of Mark.

Jesus had just engaged in a discussion with the Pharisees, who were seeking a sign from Him to test His authority and divine mission.

After denying their demand for a sign, Jesus departs the conversation and the region by boarding a ship and sailing to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

The literal meaning of the verse is straightforward, indicating a physical departure.

On a deeper level, this departure symbolizes Jesus' rejection of the Pharisees' lack of faith and their inability to recognize the signs of His ministry already manifested through His teachings and miracles.

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Historical Context

This verse is situated in the Gospel of Mark, which is generally considered to be the earliest of the four canonical Gospels and is written with a Jewish and Roman audience in mind.

The Gospel was likely composed around 70 AD, and the Sea of Galilee is a frequent setting for many events in Jesus' ministry.

The use of a boat to travel between locations around the sea was common, as travel by water was often quicker and easier than over the hilly and roadless terrain.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives may see this verse in various lights. The departing of Jesus from the Pharisees is often seen as a manifestation of Jesus' refusal to bend to human demands for proof of divine authority.

From a Christian theological standpoint, this act demonstrates Jesus' sovereignty and the importance of faith without the necessity for constant miraculous signs.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by recognizing the importance of faith in the absence of signs or evidence. It invites believers to trust in what they have learned and experienced of God rather than always seeking additional proofs for their faith.

This verse also serves as guidance for handling conflict or disbelief; sometimes the best reaction to stubborn skepticism is not to engage in argument but to move on, preserving one's peace and purpose.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:4: "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.

And he left them, and departed."

Mark 6:51-52: "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."
Luke 12:54-56: "And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is."

Language Study

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, key terms to consider are:

"ἀφεὶς" (aphěis) - translated as "he left," which means to send away or to abandon.
"εἰς τὸ πλοῖον" (eis to ploion) - translated as "into the ship," referring to the boat or vessel.
"ἀνήχθη" (anēchthē) - translated as "departed," which can mean to set sail or to embark.

Analyzing these words reinforces the understanding of Jesus' decisive movement away from the situation with the Pharisees.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparative mythology and religious studies, figures who distance themselves from places or peoples out of a need to maintain their purpose or because their messages are unaccepted are common.

For instance, in Greek mythology, gods often leave humans to their own devices after they fail to heed divine warnings.

Comparatively, in the Hebrew Bible, prophets like Elijah and Jeremiah often find themselves at odds with the people and sometimes withdraw after delivering their messages.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse doesn't directly invoke any specific scientific perspective, but in the context of travel, it reflects a historical reality that water transportation was a pragmatic choice in Jesus' time. The description aligns with known methods of travel and geography of the period.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this passage. Generally, they agree that the departure signifies Jesus' rejection of the Pharisees' need for a sign and underscores the importance of faith.

Commentators like William Barclay note Jesus' frustration with the constant demand for signs and connect it to the human tendency to desire proof over faith.

Others, such as John Calvin, saw this as a teaching moment about where and how to invest one's efforts in ministry, suggesting that turning away from fruitless encounters was a deliberate choice by Jesus in His mission.

Mark 8

Mark 8

What does Mark 8:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 8:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?